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StonerLab suggested that Wednesday’s comparison between Justin Smith and Marques Douglas was incomplete and that a full comparison of their entire careers would be the best predictor of what they do in the future. Agreed. But all I had kicking around the house were two dusty tapes from last year.

Some of you questioned why the comparison between Smith and Douglas? Why not Smith and Bryant Young for example?

Smith and Douglas played the same position, albeit in different defenses – the right defensive-end spot. And each player notched similar statistics last year and both have seven seasons of accredited NFL service.

Comparing Douglas, who functioned mainly in a 3-4 and Smith in a 4-3 is a legitimate gripe. Douglas did move around the defensive line constantly last year and he went over the center often on passing downs. But most of his pass rushes came against the left tackle and almost all of Smith’s did in the games that were reviewed, so they were fairly easy to compare.

Another reason for the comparison was Douglas always seemed to be underrated. He was a free-agent from a small school (Howard) who got cut a couple times and then spent time on the Ravens’ practice. He also has a bad NFL body – little muscle definition and a big boiler that he affectionally called his “Power Pack.”

Conversely, Smith was dominant at a Big 12 school (Mizzou) and was taken with the fifth overall pick in the 2001 draft and he very much looks like an NFL defensive end. So not to go Billy Beane on anyone, but I thought maybe the biases for Smith and against Douglas made Smith a prized free agent while Douglas was an after thought even though both players might not be that much different.

But after concentrating on both over two games, it seems that Smith is clearly the better player and that statistics such as tackles, sacks and stuffs mean little when looking at how a defensive end can impact a game.

So the next question to ponder about these two: Is Smith $18 million or so in guaranteed money better than Douglas? Check back in December.

Allforfunnplay brought up good points about Smith’s role in the 3-4 as a stout run player and menace for offensive linemen wanting to get to the linebackers. Mike Nolan has called his 3-4 linemen mudders and grinders for their unglamorous roles. But just because they don’t get a lot of sacks doesn’t mean their talents aren’t highly valuable. The starting defensive line for the Pats are all former top-round draft picks (Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork).

Also in the last analysis I did focus too much on pass rush. As far as being a stout, hold-the-point player, Smith far exceeds Douglas.